Open House at the Champions Club at Rockford First

ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Two local pastors have started a new ministry program for children with special needs after their own son was born with Down’s syndrome.

Jeremy and Jen DeWeerdt are pastors at Rockford First. They invited the community to an open house Sunday for the Champions Club. It’s a new ministry center designed especially for special needs children. There are four rooms, including an interactive sensory and a spiritual therapy room where kids can play and learn while their parents attend service.

“We've had people come through today who literally have never had the chance to come to church before," says Tina Skinner, the Coordinator of Champions Club. "We've had people say, ‘This is a dream come true for us, an opportunity we've never had before,’ so it’s very exciting, our heart is behind ministering to those families and those kids"

The Champions Club has room for 48 kids. It officially opens for use Sunday, October 14, 2012.

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